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I was in my lfs a couple of days ago and I was going to buy some frozen blood worms and some frozen mosquito larvae. The guy at the store said I would do better just to pick one of those instead of getting both of them because they are the same thing just different stages of life

They are the same thing. I'd get blood worms and something else (daphnia, brine shrimp, krill, tubifex, etc...) rather thgan blood worms and mosquito larvae.

To clarify, they are both insect larvae, but they are larvae of different insect species.

Bloodworms are larvae of a non-biting midge belonging to the Genus Chironomus. The red colour is due to their blood being rich in iron haemoglobiin.

Mosquito larve are typically larvae of Culex mosquitoes. These larvae are translucent, and tend not to be rich in iron haemoglobin.

So I would get both, because they do provide some differences in nutrition. Not least because the Bloodworms are primarily detritus feeders, while the mosquito larvae are filter feeders. Thus they have a somewhat different nutrient spectrum to deliver to your fishes.

Of course, if you can get live ones, so much the better. Your fishes will enjoy massively the fun and games of hunting them down!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

yea, they are different species, i used to raise both in shallow ponds, but alas, my pond was buldozed

they are both insect larvae, but they are larvae of different insect species.

I agree 100% & i feed my fish both Bloodworms & Mosquito Larvae.



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It matters to insectivorous fish, the nutrient content is different and it gives them variety. My rainbows get bloodworm as well as glassworm and black mosquito larvae. Similar, but not the same.

I sometimes find Glassworms turning up in my Daphnia shipments. Boy do my Cardinals love demolishing those when they find them!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002